Psychedelische Abenteuer: Have a good trip!

Fun, entertaining and mostly humorous, but no new information is presented here. The information also presented is limited and non descriptive. It's mostly a collection of fun acid stories from celebrities. I enjoyed the documentary Neurons to Nirvana much more.

I have loved and used psychedelics for 30 years. I have never been a "major tripper", the title reserved for those people that do "heroic" doses of psychotropic substances. This was a fun first step that America and the UK needs to bring a mature, responsible attitude towards a subject that has had major effects on human consciousness for 10,000 years. Including psychedelics in the failed "war on drugs" has not benefitted anyone. Sting is incorrect that peyote, or any hallucinogen, contains strychnine. This is an old myth that has been kicked around for 50 years. It is refreshing in our celebrity worshipping culture to realize that "stars" are just as misinformed, fearful, fun, cowardly, silly, inspiring, incorrect, woo woo, and adventurous as any segment of the population. Rosie Perez was very candid and remembers the joy, intelligence, and wonder that psychonauts seek. Ben Stiller is a dud, and leaves a cynical taste for the audience and for commercial comedy. There are many gems here, and for virgins seeking the "experience", this flick can have a comforting and positive influence.

As a traveler of sorts myself, I can say that I found this to be is a surprisingly well balanced documentary. The veteran psychonaught is unlikely to find anything here but a pleasant familiarity.

These kinds of drugs have enormous potential to help humanity. In fact, it's something we probably desperately need in these crazy times to help us connect to ourselves, our divinity and to each other.

However, the cautionary tales are essential, and responsible use is always encouraged. Personally I agree with String's advice on having an intention, and also Sting's decision to travel with the American Indian Shamans, as some these are substances are sacred medicines, or chemical variants of them. But not everyone has that opportunity.

I think the documentary would have been better if at least a little attention had been given to potentially tragic cases like Syd Barret, to give a completely fair analysis. But we don't really know what went on in his head. Maybe he was flying through space for eternity, maybe he was in heaven. We will never know. But on Earth he died a vegetable.

A positive spin is given at the end to the possibility of open study of these medicines by the Western methodology. This is good, but still miles behind the wisdom of traditional elders, who throughout the continents, have honed thousands of years of accumulated wisdom and safe guards. Western scientists may just grow a little if they pursue the study, as they will be forced to realise the yin and yang of that which can be measured and that which cannot.

The best recommendation I could give for safe travel is, if available, find a good Shaman and allow them to guide the journey. Unfortunately there are many charlatans out there. As such, personal recommendations are a sensible idea.

Be respectful, trust the heart, and love yourself and each another. Peace.

An incredibly vivid trip (pun intended) into the world of hallucinogens and the effects of psilocybin on the brain via the experiences of some of the most revered figures in the entertainment industry such as Carrie Fisher, Sting, A$AP Rocky, Anthony Bourdain and many more.

Both entertaining and insightful as the creators have incorporated in their thorough investigations of psychedelics a wholesome air of comedy, which makes this a must see for absolutely all of you.

I do wish that they left Deepak Chopra and his pseudo nonsense out of it though, I'll just never get that dude.

While this doc isn't a sober and scientific look at psychedelics, it fulfills some of that in a good way. It uses comedy and satire to make its points. If you are looking for serious information about them, then look elsewhere. While there are some facts here, this doc uses mostly tripping anecdotes from famous people, but also includes a psychotherapist and Deepak Chopra (not an expert on anything, IMO, and the one low point of this doc). It satirizes ridiculous 60s & 70s anti-drug movies and propaganda by winding an LSD After School Special throughout the film, which is as original as these things can be, and very humorous.

The filmmakers are careful not to proselytize psychedelics, although they come close, but the "it's not for everyone" warnings are here, as well as the usual "set and setting" importance. There is emphasis on psychedelics not being the "usual" drug you use to escape, but an internal "trip" in every sense of the word, with planning and intent necessary.

Even though the release date of this is shown as 2020 and "new" by Netflix, Carrie Fisher and Anthony Bourdain are both in it. She died in 2016 and Bourdain in 2018. Fisher is really funny, as always, and one of the high points of the interviews. Bourdain just looks depressed, which begs the question of why he was left in this doc. Kind of bad taste, due to the manner of his passing, and affected my rating a little.

I think the audience for this is probably people who have experience with psychedelics. Otherwise it will have little meaning. I've had most of the experiences chronicled here, including the cliche "McDonald's trip" (I didn't know it was a 'thing'!). Odd to see Sting in a somewhat reflective, very personal state, although psychedelics no doubt have a huge job making a dent in *his* ego. So kind of ironic interviewing him for this doc. The other people are entertaining and usually funny.

The animation is very well done and the pacing very good. I have done a lot of psychedelics and was mostly a "seeker" with the intent to learn from psychedelics, as are most of the people in this doc. If you are so serious as to be offended by a comedic look at psychedelics...yeow. You have GOT to have a sense of humor while tripping!